Author Notes: This directly follows on from the previous part…with an interval of only a few minutes….as I said, it's not essential to be read and is designed purely to give a happy ending…probably ruining the emotional impact of the first piece…but anyway…TezuRyo deserve much love.
Enjoy.
Before Farewell
It took Tezuka a while to realise he was no longer listening to the impact of tennis balls. Looking around he spotted Ryoma exiting the courts and went to met him. As he got closer, he noticed the younger boy studying him intently, gold eyes curious.
"What did you and Fuji talk about?"
"Just things."
"Then, what did he say to upset you?"
"Nothing."
Ryoma gave Tezuka a sceptical look.
"Just the truth." Tezuka tried to shrug it off.
"Hmm?"
Tezuka looked away from those bright orbs, watching the slumped shoulders of Ryoma's opponent disappear around the corner. Yet when he returned his attention to the younger boy, Ryoma was steadily watching him, making him realise the other boy wouldn't give up until he had a proper answer.
"He merely reminded me that you'll 'outgrow' me."
Ryoma's stance relaxed, tension Tezuka didn't even realise the other was feeling, draining away, even as he shrugged.
"Of course it's only natural."
Tezuka nodded and turned to study the tennis court, Ryoma's easy acceptance hurting as Fuji's barbs hadn't.
"But you'll also outgrow me. Even as I outgrow the teenage Tezuka, you'll outgrow the teenage Ryoma. However, if we're lucky, the people we mature into will like each other as much as we do."
Surprised by Ryoma's mature outlook, he studied the other boy, trying to decipher the thoughts behind that smirk.
"And there's no need to worry about Fuji. He's not a temptation for me."
"How did you know what I was worrying about?" Tezuka gave Ryoma a stern look, which the younger boy returned with a cheeky smile.
"Someone has to prevent you getting wrinkles."
Tezuka stared at Ryoma in bemusement, causing the smaller boy to pull down his ever present hat in an attempt to hide his bright smile.
Ryoma dropped his tennis bag to the ground, pulling out two rackets, giving one to Tezuka.
"Come on old man; show me you've still got all your skills in your senility. I'll mop the floor with you."
Tezuka felt a smile tug at his lips with Ryoma's teasing, and accepted the racket from Ryoma's hand.
"You should only boast if you've got the skills to back up your claims."
Ryoma gifted him with a keen smile, eyes already glittering with anticipation. The younger boy turned to enter the courts, eager for the challenge, but Tezuka stopped him, caught him by the shoulders and pulled him back.
Staring into those sparkling eyes he couldn't help but draw him closer, leaning down to meet Ryoma's lips. It was as gentle as it was full of emotion, an expression of everything in Tezuka's heart.
When he was released, Ryoma's smile was soft with emotion, but it quickly transformed into his usual smirk.
"You really shouldn't be trying to distract me. It's bad sportsmanship." Ryoma pulled away from Tezuka, his hand trailing down Tezuka's arm, not letting go until he was too far away to maintain the contact. "No more delays. Time to face your defeat."
Tezuka stared at his lovers back as Ryoma made his way onto the court, unable to stop the smile that settled on his face.
There was no guarantee of a happy ending, but they had a future together, one which would hopefully last as long as their lives.
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Reviews appreciated. Criticisms considered. Flames ignored.
…yes I know this is a very sappy ending. I just couldn't have Tezuka believing in a miserable future. I wrote it so the first part can be taken by itself; this was for my own satisfaction.